70.041 Scotopteryx luridata (July Belle)
fw: 15-19mm; Jun-Aug; dyer's greenweed (Genista tinctoria), gorse (Ulex spp) , petty whin (Genista anglica); locally common in open habitats throughout GB
Scotopteryx luridata (July Belle) §3 male
ID: Very similar to S.mucronata (Lead Belle) and may be indistinguishable on external features, all those mentioned below being somewhat variable and relative. S.mucronata flies earlier (mid-May to mid-Jun); is more confined to acid heath and moor (where S.luridata also occurs); typically has a lighter grey ground colour; zigzag subterminal line better defined; central forewing spot tear-shaped (smaller, rounded in S.luridata); spot placed midway between 2nd & 3rd lines (nearer 2nd line in S.luridata).
Male genitalia: In both species the valva has a free costa and a long sacculus with a bifid apex. In S.luridata the costa is of fairly even width through most of its length and then tapers at the apex; in S.mucronata the costa is narrow at its base, expands into a broad central section and then narrow again at the apex. In S.luridata the cornutus is narrowed at both ends and without obvious serration of its edges; in S.mucronata it is distinctly broader at the basal end and narrows towards the apex, and one edge is distinctly serrate.
Male genitalia: In both species the valva has a free costa and a long sacculus with a bifid apex. In S.luridata the costa is of fairly even width through most of its length and then tapers at the apex; in S.mucronata the costa is narrow at its base, expands into a broad central section and then narrow again at the apex. In S.luridata the cornutus is narrowed at both ends and without obvious serration of its edges; in S.mucronata it is distinctly broader at the basal end and narrows towards the apex, and one edge is distinctly serrate.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 Cyffdy Farm, Gwynedd; 26/06/2010; male
§2 Glen Urquart, Inverness-shire; 15/07/2012; male
§3 Glen Urquart, Inverness-shire; 15/07/2012; male
§4 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 11/06/2017; male; fw 14.3mm
§5 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 11/06/2017; female; fw 15.1mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Glen Urquart, Inverness-shire; 15/07/2012; male
§3 Glen Urquart, Inverness-shire; 15/07/2012; male
§4 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 11/06/2017; male; fw 14.3mm
§5 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 11/06/2017; female; fw 15.1mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 08/04/2013 (§1-3) | §4&5 added 14/03/2017
